Most impressive Mobile Application for (Smart phones)
Drum rolllllllllllllllllllll – at this time (summer 2009) and based on my (perhaps limited) review, I would have to say that the Android phone is at the top of the list of smart phones providing applications where real-time data is combined with a large database to provide localized, right-now, right-where-I-am, dynamic information. So what’s the application?
Google Sky/Google Maps/Google Free GPS goodies
Combining data from databases with your current GPS location is quite a feat (unless your under thirty, in which case it just another app…) Having a device that you can view localized night-sky information on is simply wonderful – ever wondered what that constellation was? With your Android phone it’s as easy as point and read – really. You should take a look at Google Earth and Google Sky (both available for your PC and both provide interesting and potentially useful information for study, review and simple enjoyment.)
So what about a similar application for Windows Mobile? – you can purchase ($19.95) AstroNavigator – free trial possible – Note that I have not tested this software so review is suggested prior to use.
I previously used Google Maps (without a phone GPS on a Windows Mobile 5.0 device) and thought that it was a great application. With Windows Mobile 6.1 and a GPS it’s a great app. Without the GPS the results were reasonable (i.e. you are within xx00 feet of the ‘blue dot’.) Now, you are at the blue dot – quite nice. Thankfully (at this time) Google Maps does not bombard you with advertisements or other annoyances – but of course, Google can ‘track’ your map views and aggregate data based on use of the application… (And so could any other, similar application provider.)
Non-Free Applications – Top of my list
There are also a number of mapping software applications that you can purchase so I suppose that they would also fit into the category of impressive mobile applications. The Touch Pro2 (HTC Windows Mobile 6.1 phone) includes a trial offer from Telenav (i.e. tom-tom on your phone!) With 2d and 3d views it quite a mapping solution and, it is subscription based ($10.00? per month – varies by carrier – at this time) with a 30 day free trial (registration required.) It supports both text and voice input – and you are encouraged to use caution while driving… 
The Telenav solution offers:
- spoken, turn-by-turn directions
- business listings with ratings
- automatic re-routing if turn missed
- multiple devices currently supported (iPhone 3G, G1 and G2, Touch Pro2, and possibly more…)
- pre-plan trips online and download via the Internet prior to travel (speed things up quite a bit)
- avoid traffic jams (real-time correlation with available traffic information – sounds great for any large metro area)
- this application has many potentially handy features (including a directory search for gas based on prices…)
Summary: Google Wins with free mobile, GPS based, real-time, excellent applications.
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